How Great Leaders Talk to Their Teams
Set right expectations, values, and finally have smooth teamwork.
Do you talk to other people? Yes? Great.
Do you talk to them enough? Team communication experiences hiccups as people do not talk to each other enough.
Information circulation fails as one does not tell something to another. You can forget. But that makes you a lousy coworker.
Make sure everyone has all the information they need for their work.
Communication is key.
Without communication, expectations create frustration, and teamwork is only pretended.
Let’s talk.
Communication is everything
You can’t work without communication. You always discuss what, who, when, how, and why.
Communication is work. Work is communication.
You always communicate with someone or something. You never work in a silo. The outcome depends on how well you communicate.
Poor communication = poor results.
On top of that, poor communication = poor relationships.
By talking to your coworkers, you set expectations and pace. True leaders give others purpose and a picture of the future:
That is where we want to be.
What do you think about it?
This is important because…
Let’s try something completely different.
Invite others to the discussion. Stop being a fan of monologues. The most innovative ideas are generated out of disagreement, vivid discussions, and idea conflicts.
The purpose is to glue teams together and highlight shared values. You cannot achieve that without communication. Leaders, who talk to other people frequently, build strong and productive relationships.
And let’s face it. Relationships drive motivation. If there are quality issues or shoddy deadlines, don't be afraid to point them out. Communication is the fuel of relationships.
Communication creates trust
How do you build trust? By having a sterling character, being credible, helpful, and kind to others? People often say that what you do matters more than what you say. It is both.
These scenarios and feelings can trigger:
1. Say and do = trust
2. Say and don’t do = disappointment
3. Don’t say and do = positive surprise
4. Don’t say and don’t do = ignorance
Communication is a pillar of trust. You trust my word. You rely on what I say. That is the kind of relationship you seek in your private and professional life.
You trust that if something happens, people will take responsibility. If things are not working well, you either deal with it or apologize. There is a lot hidden in communication.
Can you tell when someone is lying? How come you don’t believe him?
It can be felt through nonverbal or verbal communication. You decide who you want to trust based on how they speak and what they do.
Trust simply can't happen without communication. So, if you want to be trusted, act trustworthy.
Communication is continuity
When you talk to others, you send and receive information. There is always a risk of misunderstanding because:
Working in teams requires continuity, clarity, and assertiveness. Whenever you talk to other people, you represent a set of values and bring expectations to the table.
Teamwork needs transparency and clear goals. Otherwise, you will never work together productively. Don’t be surprised when goals are not achieved. Maybe they were not clear in the first place. Maybe people had different opinions.
In today’s connected world, teams rarely work in silos. One relies on the other. If one is not doing the job, the other suffers. If you could communicate well, you would be able to make your way out of it. But in the long-term? It sucks.
There are no two ways around these:
Clear objectives and accountability
Handovers
When anything is not working, it is because of people. Some think they understand a task but then they are confused. Others simply don’t care about anything, and they get away with it. The last group of people left on holiday without handovers.
Sweet working in teams. No wonder many choose to work alone these days. #greatresignation
Make sure there is always continuity in teamwork.
No matter what. The ideal state is when everyone is replaceable. Communication can greatly help you with that.
Communication influences job satisfaction
How satisfied are you with your job?
Do you feel like you get enough attention? Getting left out of communication may cause you to feel isolated and ultimately unhappy.
You need to know what is happening and why.
Many people are not loyal to their teams as they are not involved. “They decide.” “They deal with it.” Someone above you has the power, and you feel like you have no control. That’s bad.
Great leaders make sure that other people always feel in charge.
Let them participate in solutions. Discuss alternatives. Give them a voice. Let questions and ‘because’ be your best friends.
You should never ignore their questions or silence their concerns. Communication is a two-way process. Sadly, too many forget that.
If you have no control over where you are heading, you are likely to choose your own way. It is a survival instinct.
Communication is development
Communication plays a key role in your development.
You are used to hearing what is right and what is wrong. It is how you learn. One solution is correct; the other is wrong. What you need to understand is why.
Successful leaders always give you a "why". Without a why you don’t understand things. They don’t make any sense to you. Let’s say your manager tells you:
You have to learn SQL.
Why?
From now on, they will use it. We have to follow. That’s it.
How do you feel about learning SQL? Positively? I don’t think so. Someone said you have to learn it regardless of any other motivation. You are likely not to care.
When you talk to other people, think about what you are saying and why.
Seamless collaboration does not just happen. It is the result of communication.
And now what?
Well, that is easy. Talk.
Ask questions. Explain, discuss, and make decisions. Listen and moderate conversations. Communication creates a sense of belonging and supports trust and continuity.
Encourage others to talk because teams never talk enough.
PS: Check out the new podcast episode on assertiveness and how to get rid of stress caused by half-done communication.
Communication is like a necessary tax, and for inspiring leaders, it is more of an insurance policy and investment in their teams and organization, it just provides a tremendous compound outcome over time for those who are willing to make the effort.